by Fünchkins
Spring is here and Summer is just around the corner, and in that spirit Nordstroms has released a range of shoes for babies to big kids for the new season. The range of shoes is from various designers like Kenneth Cole, Michael Kors, Toms and Nordstroms themselves. The shoes include sandals for play and for that occasional wedding that allow children to attend.
Orla Kiely is a well known Irish fashion designer based in London. Orla began her design career in hats, but has since moved on to handbags, and clothing and her familiar designs have been featured on kitchenware, cars and now wallpaper. The house of Orla Kiely has released their 2013 Spring-Summer collection with a Mad Men inspired video called “Darling”.
If you have managed to escape Winter, or you live in a hot humid climate, and just happen to own a pool, you need a Pet Float. Made from vinyl-coated fabric and non-porous foam, the Pet float is perfect for lazy days in the sun before cooling off in the water.
The Pet Floats are available in your choice of seven colours, Kentucky Blue, Lime, Pool Blue, Raspberry, Tangerine, White and Yellow and come in 3 sizes.
* The Pet Floats can be purchased from Front Gate for between $69.50 and $129.50
For 2012, Maaji Swim Wear released some beautiful swim wear, all the pieces are fully reversible so that you can change your look from day to day. The styles of the bikini tops range from balconets to halter tops and bandeau tops, while the bottoms are all American cut with moderate coverage.
In Belgian gallery Z33 last summer, visitors could get back to their childhood by clambering onto and exploring a net installation by Numen. The nets were layered one on top of the other and connected to each other at points, forming a landscape that could be used as a communal hammock.
*The Net by Numen/ For Use was at the Z33 gallery from the 2nd July till the 2nd October 2011. You can see what Z33 is showing this year by visiting their website
As the heat of Summer seems to get more intense the closer we get to Autumn, contemplating cooking just seems to drain the energy from me.
So I found this wonderful recipe from PBS for a grilled Feta cheese and pesto pizza. You can make it with pre made pizza bases if you are feeling especially lazy or make your own bases. Throw it in the grill, dress your husband as an Italian waiter and pretend you are holidaying in the Italian Riviera.
*PBS’s simple grilled Feta cheese and pesto pizza can be found on their food site
The DogEden is a dog house that is heated and cooled using natural Geothermal energy. It is constructed from 20% recycled materials and simulates the natural dens created by dogs when they dig.
Best of all, it requires no assembly and the outer shell is virtually indestructible.
* The DogEden can be purchased from Miller Pets in Hawaii
Peaches are in season and the lovely, fragrant fruit are everywhere. If you have gone through the usual recipes for peach cobbler and have been forced to contemplate canning, here is another recipe that is filled with natural goodness.
*Yummy Mummy, Marina, has been so kind as to share with us her recipe for individual peach pies
In Trosa, Sweden, is a Summer house designed by WRB Architects that has some awe inspiring views. The House was built with external walls made of slats, so that the occupants could experience the outdoors while living their lives inside the house. Although it was built in the 60′s, the design has remained both modern and contemporary, with extensive insulating and the ingenious use of laths to control the amount of light that enters the habitable spaces.
You can see more pictures of the Summer House in Trosa on WRB Architects
In Elkhorn, Wisconsin, is a 1920′s camp site called Camp Wandawega that has the most adorable tree houses ever. The couple that restored the camp site, David Hernandez and Tereasa Surratt, enlisted the help of friends, carpenters, artisans and builders, to build a three storey that is now available for vacation rentals.
